BUENOS AIRES – Sebastian Lelio's dramedy Gloria will be the Chilean contender for both the foreign language Oscar and the Spanish Goya awards. The announcement was made Wednesday by Minister of Culture Roberto Ampuero.

The selection of Gloria does nothing but consolidate Chilean representation in the world's main awards. "We're confident that due to the the outstanding quality of its editing, acting, script and direction, the film will rightfully continue the path Machuca, La Nana, and No have opened for it, and show the world the development of our film industry as it already did in, for example, the Berlin Film Festival," said Ampuero.

The decision was made by a jury of 30 film industry professionals selected by the country's Culture Council.

Gloria premiered this year at the Berlinale, where it picked up the best actress Silver Bear for star Paulina Garcia.Lelio's fourth film sold 143,000 tickets in Chile -- a significant number for a local medium-size production -- and has already been sold to several territories including the U.S., England, France, Spain and Brazil.